20 years of Outdoor Recreation Experience
ABOUT THE FOUNDER
I founded Northern Sun Tours out of a lifelong passion for exploring wild landscapes and sharing the freedom and discovery they inspire. For over twenty years, I’ve worked across the outdoor industry—as a backcountry guide, park ranger, ski and mountaineering instructor, first responder, and high school teacher. That diverse background has shaped my philosophy: that safe, meaningful adventure begins with knowledge, respect, and curiosity for the natural world.
My journey has taken me through some of the most iconic wilderness areas in the western United States, including Devils Postpile, Yosemite, Katmai, Denali, and North Cascades National Parks. Those years working within the National Park Service deepened my expertise in wilderness safety, education, and conservation history—perspectives I now bring to every Northern Sun Tours experience.
At Northern Sun Tours, we specialize in customized programming for both youth and adults, offering educational tours, skill-building courses, and adventure camps designed to inspire confidence and connection with the outdoors. Our curriculum is recognized by Alaska State school districts and can even earn students credit toward high school graduation.
Whether you’re seeking a guided backcountry journey, a field-based learning program, or a unique adventure off the beaten path, Northern Sun Tours delivers experiences that blend excitement, education, and stewardship of the land.
I look forward to helping you achieve your goals in the great outdoors—let’s go explore!
Emily Lester, Founder and Head Guide
Acknowledgment of Dena’ina Traditional Lands
Anchorage and the greater Matanuska-Susitna Valley sit on the traditional homelands of the Dena’ina Elnena people, one of Alaska’s eleven Athabascan groups. The Native people of the Knik area are the K’enaht’ana, members of the Eklutna (Eydlughet) and Knik (K’enakatnu) tribes. The name Dena’ina means “the people” and also refers to their language, which is divided into four dialects.
For generations, the upper Cook Inlet region, between the Chugach and Talkeetna mountains, provided abundant fishing, hunting, and gathering grounds, and Anchorage remains a site of deep cultural and historical significance. Modern developments, including the Alaska Railroad and the 1918 influenza epidemic, disrupted Dena’ina life, but today their culture is preserved and shared through the Alaska Native Heritage Center, the Anchorage Museum, traditional subsistence activities, public art, and the work of contemporary Dena’ina artists.
Anchorage’s unique character reflects a blend of Indigenous culture, Russian trade, gold rush history, and pioneer settlement. At Northern Sun Tours, we recognize that we live and work on Dena’ina land and are committed to honoring their legacy, supporting the community, and promoting understanding and reconciliation. Visitors are encouraged to explore the Anchorage Museum to learn more about Alaska’s diverse Indigenous cultures and history.
Commitment to Inclusivity
We are excited to partner with a wide range of people and organizations to create spaces where every person feels seen and welcome. We take steps everyday to ensure our practices are inclusive, and to encourage public conversations about the historical inequities in the outdoor recreation industry. We strive to provide opportunities of adventure and education to every person who wishes to get outside and experience wild landscapes. We value equity and work to create trip itineraries that meet your or your organization’s needs and interests.
As a new company, we’re just beginning to build partnerships with other businesses and organizations who work to create a more inclusive, aware, and equitable outdoor industry. If this is you and you’d like to discuss how we might support your work in Alaska, please get in touch today!